Tennessee fires head football coach Jeremy Pruitt: the good, the bad, and what this move means going forward

The good, the bad and everything in-between for the Vols heading into the next coaching search

Jeremy Pruitt’s time at Tennessee has officially drawn to a lackluster close.

With an overall record of 16-19, a 10-16 clip in the SEC and one bowl win, the former Alabama defensive coordinator was fired for cause less than a month after his Tennessee team lost 34-13 to No. 5 Texas A&M. 

The firing comes after an internal investigation into Tennessee’s program, the results of which were finalized before the Vols’ administration made the move.

Now, as so many times before, we look to Tennessee’s future.

There are good and bad aspects that can be taken from Pruitt’s firing and what it means for the Vols going forward.

So, take a deep breath, and let’s get into it.

The Good

For fans that were tired of Pruitt, congratulations: your wish has come true.

The Vols have moved on and now have a chance at several exciting prospects for their next head football coach.

You can see the full coaching hot board on our site, but, in all honesty, most of the “good” here hinges on the hire that Tennessee makes rather than simply getting rid of Jeremy Pruitt.

Yes, the Vols shed themselves of a coach that stuck with Jarrett Guarantano to a horrible fault — and hung his other signal-callers out to dry, with no signs of their development during his tenure.

Yes, Tennessee has gotten rid of a coach that, at most points, looked a lot happier, focused and more effective as a defensive coordinator than he did in any game as a head coach.

Yes, the Vols have also parted ways with another PR nightmare in Pruitt.

Granted, Jeremy Pruitt was never “He fell on a helmet!” bad. But addressing reporters the way he has and refusing to acknowledge some of his mistakes is no way to win back a fan base that was already leaning toward the hope of his canning.

But the best news out of this situation is, as mentioned, not from Pruitt’s firing. 

Rather, the best news here stems from Tennessee’s potential hires, as former Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele — who joined Pruitt’s staff as an assistant after the New Year — will serve as interim year coach.

As far as the full search goes, we will (hopefully) not see another “Schiano Sunday” scenario. Regardless of how you feel about that day, it was an overall black eye for a once historic program, especially considering the nationwide ramifications.

The only quantitative “good” that can come after that will be measured on the field.

Otherwise, the Vols are left staring down the barrel of an NCAA investigation, with no better leadership or results than before to serve as comfort.

The Bad

With Butch Jones’ departure, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief when the news finally broke. 

But this circumstance, which includes compliance and player payment issues around the program, is far messier from the jump — especially with Phillip Fulmer’s resignation on the same day.

This, of course, comes in a pandemic year in which the influx of cash to the football program has been almost as low as the attendance in a socially-distanced Neyland Stadium each Saturday.

So Pruitt being fired for cause is a major financial boost for the university, as Tennessee can avoid a buyout.

Whether they like him or not, fans can’t argue that Pruitt brought in some high-profile talent. The problem is that he didn’t use it, but I digress — the talent was there. Pruitt’s profile and handprints are there, both in terms of the program as a whole and the type of player he likes to mold.

And things are as messy as ever in Knoxville.

Some of those new players, 2021 early enrollees, arrived on campus on Sunday, only to see the news of Pruitt’s firing a day later.

Plenty of current players let their feelings be known, too.

Make no sense 👎🏾

— Martavius French (@1210frenchie) January 18, 2021

Overview 

In his press conference after the Texas A&M game, Pruitt essentially plead his case. He talked about the personnel and cultural changes within the program in the last three years, but he also referenced “how close” the guys in the locker room believe this team is to being elite again.

You can believe that or not. 

But what you should believe is this:

Even if the cultural changes are true, and the talent gap is closing, a new coach will have to get Pruitt’s guys to buy into his philosophy. He’ll have to convince them he’s the right guy, and he’ll have to do the same with fans.

Then he’ll have to win.

With those concrete stipulations and a program that reeks of investigation and turmoil, Tennessee will still be as far from 1998 as it has ever been — regardless of the hire it makes.